Bell awards bill writers

Since he's been in the House of Delegates, Rob Bell is known for carrying a lot of bills initiated by citizens, whether constituents or not. Every year he recognizes these citizen lawmakers, who have numbered from 15 to one. On July 1, the day the laws go into effect, Bell describes this year's crop of people who see not just a problem, but a solution.

Kristine Hall of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Alliance picked up her third framed bill for what some will think of as the Yeardley Love bill, even though it was in the works before Love's May 2010 death. HB 2063 expands who can get a protective order to include victims or would-be victims of dating violence, stalking, or any conduct that creates fear of death, a civil option that wasn't available before.

Culpeper prosecutor David Barredo's bill makes it illegal to text threats and targets cyber bullying. Fluvanna attorney Mason Byrd saw a need to give latitude to magistrates to go beyond a judge's order for bail if a defendant looks ready to flee.